The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Depeche Mode is the latest result of the collaboration with the English rock band Depeche Mode. The partnership began 14 years ago to raise awareness for charitable projects. Since then, more than 2.3 million US dollars have been raised. In March 2023, Depeche Mode then announced their new album “Memento Mori”. Inspired by this release, the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Depeche Mode now follows, a limited edition that interprets the title of the album in a unique way.
The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Depeche Mode has a 42 mm “tonneau” shaped case. It is made of black ceramic with sandblasted surfaces. However, there are also polished edges that add a luxurious contrast. The overall height is 13.8 mm. Eye-catching screws hold the multi-part case together. The bezel features pyramid-shaped studs, a theme that is typical of the world of rock and here emphasises the connection to Depeche Mode. On the reverse, the see-through back reveals more than just the movement. The band logo and the logo of the non-profit organisation Conservation Collective are also printed on the glass. Meanwhile, the water resistance of the watch is 100 metres.
The applied hourglass and skull dominate the blackened sapphire dial. Together, they symbolise the Latin phrase “Memento Mori”, which means “Remember that you will die”. The expression, which originates from ancient Rome, emphasises the transience of life and serves as the title and theme for Depeche Mode’s new album. The hourglass contains black ceramic beads that flow back and forth according to the movement of the wrist. Elsewhere, open-worked hands show the time together with pyramid-shaped studs. Last but not least, the band’s logo sits on the lower edge of the dial. The two letters DM appear here on a blood-red background.
Hublot equips the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Depeche Mode with the HUB1710 calibre. The movement is based on the Zenith Elite 670, but is finished in black and has an in-house black rotor. The balance oscillates at a frequency of 4 hertz. The power reserve is 50 hours.
The watch comes with two straps that are easy to change thanks to the patented “One Click” system. The first is of black rubber and features the black pyramids that resemble the ones on the bezel of the watch. There is also a black titanium folding clasp. The second has a textile look and is made from recycled materials. It closes with a folding clasp made of black ceramic. The watch is a limited edition of 100 pieces. Each box comes with a vinyl disc of the Depeche Mode single “Wagging Tongue”. The price of the watch is 35,400 euros.
